To the Max

I've sporadically followed the career of Belorussian tennis beast Max Mirnyi with some interest in the past few years. He's not the best or most popular player so it's not often I get a chance to see him play. He's had most of his success in doubles play (six total Slam titles) which rarely sees the airwaves in the U.S. I like his serve-and-volley style of play which brings him to the net a lot. His long arms, yoga discipline, and doubles training gives him a definite advantage in close.

Today he was set to meet the No. 8 seed American James Blake in the first match of the day on Centre Court at Wimbledon. I set my DVR for 5am knowing that ESPN couldn't help but televise that match-up. I was right and got to watch the first two sets before heading to work this morning. Max took the first set and Blake came back in the second. I had to avoid any sports websites and radio all day so I wouldn't accidentally discover the result.

As soon as I got home tonight I picked up the match in the third set. Blake won 6–4 but after that Max could do nothing wrong and Blake nothing right. I couldn't believe it but Max and his big serve won the 4th set 6–1 and then swept the 5th set 6–0. He's set to meet his current doubles partner Jonas Bjorkman in the fourth round. I'll be praying to the ESPN gods that they'll cover that one. Please, please, please.